Lead-joint runner



(N0 Mbdel.)

W. VANDERMAN.

LEAD JOINT RUNNER.

' No. 430,713. Patented June 24,1890.

W WW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM VANDERMAN, OF YVILLIMANTIO, CONNECTICUT.

LEAD-JOINT RUNNER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,713, dated June 24, 1890.

ApplicatiOll filed April 16, 1890. Serial No.348,176. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM VANDERMAN, of Willimantic, in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lead- Joint Runners, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, whereby any one skilled in the art can make and use the same.

In making a joint by pouring molten metal about a pipe or like part it is the custom to employ a dam or joint-runner made of putty or clay or some such plastic material that is not injured by heat; but there are many 0bjections to the use of such material, as the dam is not of a material permanent in its nature and can be used but once and in one place.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable j oint-runner of a material not readily affected by heat or cold and one that can be used 011 different sizes of pipe and in all places where a joint-runner is needed.

To this end my invention consists in a flexible j oint-runner having an outer surface of asbestus; and it further consists in details of the several parts of the device as a whole and in their combination, as more particularly hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a detail side View of the improved joint-runner. Fig. 2 is a detail View of a pipe and in section of parts of the runner, illustrating its method of use. Fig. 3 is a detail view on enlarged scale of the runner with parts broken away to show construction. Fig. 4 is a detail View showing the fastening device.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter a denotes the runner as a whole, that is composed of a long cylinder of asbestus-covered material. The asbestus being somewhat lacking in tensile strength, it is preferred to use a safety cord or chain 1), extending throughout the length of the body of the runner, that is provided with metallic caps c c at the opposite ends, the length of the chain extending beyond one end and the other being provided with a fastening device cl. It has been found practicable to make the runner by forming a laid rope e, of asbestus, about a central chain and then braiding a somewhat smooth cover of asbestus cord about the rope. The interior of the mass may be formed of some other material than asbestus fiber, pro- Vided the outside covering of asbestus is of cured to each end, as by means of a rivet,

and this rivet f may be used to secure to one end the hook d, that forms a part of the fastening device, when the latter is attached to the extreme ends of the runner. At the opposite ends of the runner is secured a spring or like elastic connection g, and beyond the spring is a chain or like flexible part h, that furnishes means for securing the device on a pipe, as illustrated in the drawings. The body of the gasket is preferably flattened at one end in order to adapt it more readily to the purpose in handthat is, to allow a perfect joint to be formed where the parts of the gasket cross each other on the upper side of the pipe.

The method of using the device is as follows: After the spigot end of the pipe has been inserted in the bell end and the joint is to be made the runner or gasket is wrapped about the pipe in front of the joint and forced against it so as to close the opening, except at a point near the top, and the lead is poured into place about the joint, the gasket forming an effectual dam to prevent any undesirable fiowing or waste of metal and assuring its application in the right place.

The improved gasket or runner is easily and quickly applied, and the chain and spring, or the chain alone, forming a means of readily adjusting the gasket to the size of pipe required. It is strong, flexible, and elastic, and from the nature of the asbestus covering it is not injured by the hot metal, and for that reason can be cleaned ina fire.

Other means of fastening that do not project beyond the ends of the gasket may obviously be employed to secure it in place.

I claim as my invention 1. The improved lead-joint runner consisting of a flexible body part of asbestus, provided at its opposite ends with fastening means, all substantially as described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a lead-joint runner composed of a central chain or wire of metal and covering or body having a flexible body part with an outer surface of asbestus, the fastening devices whereby the runner is held in place about a pipe, all substantially as described.

4:. In combination With the joint-runner having a flexible body part With an outer surface of asbestus, the flexible and extensible fastening means adapted to extend between the opposite ends of the runner, all substantially as described.

WILLIAM VANDERMAN. Witnesses:

FRED L. CLARK, JAMES T. LYNCH. 

